BOSTON — New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Friday pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef.
Massachusetts Dedham District Court Judge Jeanmarie Carroll released Diggs, 32, on personal recognizance and ordered him to have no contact with the alleged victim. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for April 1.
Wearing a white shirt and tie under a gray sweater, Diggs stood beside his attorney during the brief proceeding, which lasted less than five minutes. Both Diggs and his legal representation declined to speak with reporters.
The arraignment was originally scheduled for Jan. 23 but was postponed so Diggs could play in Super Bowl LX. The Patriots lost 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks.
According to court records, the chef told Dedham officers she and Diggs argued about money he owed her for her work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home, she said, he ''smacked her across the face'' and then ''tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,'' leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.
Diggs' attorney has said he ''categorically denies these allegations,'' calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs is charged with one count of felony strangulation or suffocation and one count of misdemeanor assault and battery.
The Patriots released a statement saying they support him.
Police said the woman first reported the incident Dec. 16 and initially hesitated to pursue charges before later requesting them, according to court documents.
